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New York Travel Guide

Hopping across the pond? Our essential guide to New York is the best place to find out everything you need to know before you travel.

What you'll find in this guide:

Top things to do

Practical Information

Getting to New York

Getting around

Top attractions

Top things to do in New York

  • 1-hour super tasty balloon flight at sunrise
    ATTRACTIONS & GUIDED TOURS

    Top of the Rock tickets and tours

    Rise above the crowded streets of New York and get a bird's eye view from the Top of the Rock. This popular observation deck at the top of the Rockefeller Centre arguably has the best panoramic views of the 'Big Apple'.

  • Beach ball in water
    EXCURSIONS & DAY TRIPS

    Niagara Falls day trip

    You won't want to miss one of the world's most amazing natural wonders on you trip to the Big Apple. Learn the fascinating history of these mighty waters and enjoy spectacular views of the falls from different vantage points.

  • Statue of Liberty, New York
    ACTIVITIES

    Best of New York City cruise

    Take a ride aboard the only sightseeing cruise that completely circles Manhattan. Relax and take in NYC's most iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, with an expert guide.

  • New York pizza
    ACTIVITIES

    Food tour of West Village

    Stroll through the tree-lined streets of New York's West Village and taste the best bagel, pizza, and cupcake in the city. On the way you'll see Monica's apartment from Friends and discover hangouts of the Beat Generation and Bob Dylan.

  • Central Park, New York
    ACTIVITIES

    Central Park full-day bike rental with picnic box

    Pedal your way across the green oasis that is Central Park and enjoy a fully prepared gourmet picnic box lunch.


You can find more great video content on our YouTube channel

Holiday Extras Travel Guides

What time zone is New York in?

GMT -4

What currency do they use in New York?

US Dollar USD

What language do they speak in New York?

English (American)

What power adaptors do you need for New York?

Type A

What is the average flight time to New York?

8 hours

Practical Info

Located on the northeastern coast of the United States, New York City is the most densely populated city in the country. It was also the first capital city of the United States in 1789.

New York is four hours behind GMT, meaning jet lag shouldn't be too bothersome. Here are a few more things to bear in mind before your trip.

What's the weather like?

You can expect an average temperature of 25°C in July and 2°C in January. The winter months are susceptible to fierce snow storms, so it's worth checking the forecast if you're planning on visiting at this time of year. You can find a detailed breakdown of New York's annual weather trends here.

Jabs, visas and other advice

The USA has a visa waiver programme, which means that citizens of certain countries don't need a visa to stay in the USA for up to 90 days for business or leisure. This includes the UK, so UK citizens don't need a visa to enter the USA on holiday.

However, you will need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) - the states' way of keeping tabs on who is coming into the country. It's recommended you apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before departure, and it lasts for 2 years providing you keep the same passport.

You can apply for your ESTA online. But stay vigilant - there are lots of unofficial websites that will charge more for the application than the government site. An ESTA application should only cost $14, and can be purchased safely here.

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

For any emergency, call 911.

Getting to New York

Our journey started at London Heathrow. After dropping our car with a handy meet and greet service, we checked in and went to an airport lounge which gave us some time to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet before the 8-hour flight to New York's JFK Airport. And to save any hassle getting into the city we had booked an airport transfer for the hour-long trip to our accommodation. We stayed in Manhattan, the central island and heart of the city.

Getting around New York

The thought of getting around New York City can be pretty intimidating, but once you get your head around the public transport system you'll be navigating the city blocks like a local. Here's how we got around while we were there…

New York Subway

New York Metro

The main way to get around the city, the whole subway system operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So you'll be able to get back to your accommodation no matter how late you're out exploring. Our usual advice for finding your way around a new city is to use Google Maps, but you can't always rely on your phone signal while riding the subway. So it's also a good idea to pick up a subway map from any station.

You should also pick up a MetroCard for $1, which acts like Oyster Cards do in London. You can buy a single journey on a MetroCard, but if you're planning on using the subway more than once, there are more cost-effective options available…

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards work like a prepaid card, and can be loaded up with money before you travel. You'll be charged each time you ride, and the more money you add, the more of a discount you'll receive.

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards are available in denominations of $5.50, $10.48, $20.95, $26.19, $39.29, and $61.90.

Unlimited Ride MetroCard

The Unlimited Ride MetroCard works like a season ticket, allowing you choose the length of time that you want to use the metro. There are no zones, so one ride will cost the same no matter how long it takes.

You can get a variety of Unlimited Ride MetroCards, ranging from 7 to 30 days, and $32 to $121 in cost.

You can buy MetroCards in most subway stations, just look for the MetroCard ticket machines.

New York Taxi

New York Taxi

There's no form of transportation more iconic in New York than the yellow cab. Riding in one is as much an attraction as it is a means to an end. To hail a cab, step off the curb and hold your arm out at a taxi with its light on (if the light is off, it already has a passenger).

A taxi can take a maximum of 4 people and the minimum fare is $2.50. The fare will then increase 50 cents per 1/5 of a mile. It's also worth remembering that there's a nighttime surcharge of 50 cents from 8pm until 6am, and a peak hour weekday surcharge of $1 from 4pm to 8pm.

We found Uber to be the cheaper option, although it doesn't quite have the same appeal as riding around the city in a yellow cab. When in New York…

Walking

Depending on where you're staying, walking can be one of the best ways of exploring New York. If you're staying in Manhattan, particularly for a week or longer, we'd recommend taking some comfy shoes for an amble down the city streets. However, if time is tight or you're looking to explore further afield, public transport is absolutely the way to go.

Top
  • New York Airport Transfers

    New York Airport Transfers

    Book your New York airport transfers, with prices starting from under £40 and free cancellations up to 3 days before travel.

  • New York Car Hire

    New York Car Hire

    Book your New York airport car hire, with free cancellations.

  • Niagara Falls

    New York Ultimate Experiences

    From Niagara Falls to the Top of the Rock! Make the most of your trip and pre-book the top New York experiences for you and your family before you fly.

  • New York Travel Insurance

    Travel Insurance for New York

    Whether you're exploring the city's top sights or experiencing the power of Niagara Falls, you'll want a reliable travel insurance policy for your trip to New York.

The Good Trip Index
23rd

USA ranks 23rd on the Good Trip Index

This score is calculated based on Sustainability, Human Rights, Women's Rights, Press Freedom, Quality of Life, LGBTQI+ Rights and Animal welfare

Find out more

Top attractions in New York

  • Empire State Building, New York

    Empire State Building

    Can you talk of New York without the Empire State Building coming to mind?

    This is a must visit for any New York first-timer, but the paradox of the Empire State is that you can't see it when you're up there. So if you want the best view of the skyline with the Empire State in it, we recommend going to the Top Of The Rock.

  • The High Line, New York

    The High Line

    The High Line is one of New York's newer attractions, and an added bonus is... it's free!

    Created on the old New York Central Railroad this elevated park stretches for 1.45 miles on the West side of Manhattan. Take a leisurely walk along the High Line and you'll find artworks, places to sit and relax and plenty of local business to explore.

  • Central Park, New York in Autumn

    Central Park

    It's quite likely that you'll have seen Central Park before - it's the most filmed location in the world after all!

    At 843 hectares this walk in the park is no walk in the park. Don't expect to be able to cover it all in one morning by foot - there's lots of different areas in the park to explore.

    One of the best places to start is by The Plaza Hotel (famous from many films and TV shows) - here you'll get some iconic shots of the New York skyline in the lake.

Fuel your wanderlust

Looking for the best beaches in Spain, where to take your family skiing or which Greek Island is best for partying? Well you've come to the right place.

Discover more...

What to see in Manhattan

When people think of New York City, Manhattan is often the first place they picture. Over many decades, Manhattan has become a metropolis of colour, culture, diversity and architecture. Throughout the 19th century, it grew rapidly thanks to the city's economic upturn and rise in immigration, both of which helped to establish New York as a diverse, ever-evolving cultural hotspot.

Manhattan is home to many world-famous landmarks that attract visitors from all over the world. Even the street names are iconic – think Wall Street, Madison Avenue, 42nd Street, Broadway and more! Couple all this with the world's brightest theatre district, some of the tallest high-rise buildings you will ever see, and you could spend a week here and still not see everything!

How to get around Manhattan

Manhattan is divided into 3 sections: Downtown, Midtown and Uptown, each with their own distinct feel. Most of the borough is laid out in a grid pattern, meaning it's easy to find your way around. Avenues run north to south and streets are east to west. Fifth Avenue separates the east and west sides, with street numbers increasing as you head away from Fifth.

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station, New York

If Manhattan is the heart of New York then Grand Central station is the heart of Manhattan. You could spend a whole day in Grand Central Station, with everything from shops, historic landmarks, bars, a food hall, tennis courts and of course trains! Keep an eye out for the station's world famous clock, which is estimated to be worth between 10 and 20 million dollars! It's one of Grand Central Station's most iconic features, appearing in many movies – it's got quite the celebrity status.

Grand Central Market

Grand Central Market, New York

Staying within the station and featuring 13 local vendors of fresh produce, gourmet ingredients and treats, the Grand Central Market is a vast European-style food market. The market hosts around 10,000 visitors per day! It's open daily too, and we can think of worse places to wait for your next train.

The Whispering Gallery

If you happen to come across people facing the wall and muttering to themselves, don't be alarmed, you've just discovered the Whispering Gallery! Located just outside the main concourse on the way to the food court, the design of the arched walls creates a fascinating acoustic phenomenon - if you say something in one corner, someone standing in the opposite corner will hear you loud and clear.

Chelsea Market

Two musicians playing at Chelsea Market, New York

Traversing the length of the High Line will work up quite an appetite, but thankfully just a short walk away is Chelsea Market, known as one of the greatest food markets in the world and aptly located in the Meatpacking District at 75 Ninth Avenue.

Once the home of the National Biscuit Company that was served by the trains on the High Line, it now has more than 35 different vendors selling delicious food items. Not only that, it also attracts fashionistas looking through the vintage flea market style stalls that are based here.

Central Park

Central Park offers a blissful sanctuary to appreciate trees, grass and open space, a real contrast to the rest of Manhattan. It covers around 3.5 square miles and stretches across 843 acres of land. To put that in perspective, it's almost six times larger than the city of Monaco! It's featured in more than 350 films and visited by around 40 million people a year.

A great place to view the park is from the top of the Met museum. The Cantor Rooftop Garden Bar is open during the warmer months and offers unique views of the city over the treetops. You'll have to buy a ticket to the museum to get access to the bar, but with some of the most incredible exhibitions in the world on offer, it's well worth the cost. Just be aware you'll need to reserve a timeslot to visit the Met online if you do want to go.

Times Square

Times Square, New York

Whether you're visiting for the first time or the hundredth, no trip to Manhattan is complete without venturing to Times Square. Originally called Longacre Square, Times Square takes its name from the New York Times headquarters, which moved to 1 Times Square in 1904.

Nowadays 1 Times Square is mostly empty, but it holds the New Year's Eve ball and a wall of billboards that generates over $23 million per year. On New Year's Eve, close to a million people congregate to celebrate the 'Dropping of the Ball'.

Broadway

Broadway, New York

Just around the corner from Times Square is Broadway - New York's answer to London's West End. Broadway actually runs for a whopping 33 miles, 18 of which aren't even within the city limits. It begins from Lower Manhattan at Bowling Green, runs north to the Bronx and then all the way to Albany.

There are 41 Broadway Theatres in New York but despite the title, only 4 theatres are actually located on Broadway Street - the Winter Garden, the Roundabout, the Marquis, and the Broadway Theatre. In order to qualify as a Broadway theatre, it must have 500 seats and must be located between 40th Street and 54th Street, and from west of 6th Avenue to East of Eighth Avenue, including Times Square. Theatres that don't quite fulfil these qualifications are often referred to as off-Broadway.

London Theatre Breaks

You don't have to travel to New York to experience world-beating theatre. See a top show in London's West End and treat yourself to an overnight stay at a relaxing hotel.

Where to visit outside of Manhattan

Manhattan warrants a travel guide all to itself, but we wanted to see as much of New York as possible, which meant exploring the other boroughs. Starting with Queens…

Queens

Queens, New York

Queens is the largest and one of the most diverse of all the five boroughs of New York City. But if you talk to almost anyone in Queens, the first thing that gets mentioned is the food. If you're interested in exploring the culinary world all in one place, head to Roosevelt Avenue, with more than 100 blocks' worth of eateries from around the globe.

Brooklyn

Dumbo neighbourhood in Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn sits just east of Manhattan, across the river. Our highlight from Brooklyn was an area called Dumbo, which stands for "Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass".

Originally an industrial neighbourhood, it's become popular with free-thinkers and influencers heading there to get that perfect Instagram shot. This alone makes it a great destination for people-watching, especially on Washington Street. Plus there are cracking views of the Manhattan skyline from the other side of the river. If you time your visit right you can catch a pretty stunning sunset too.

To get to Dumbo you can take the F train to York Street or the A or C to High Street. There's also the New York City ferry that connects Manhattan to New York.

The Bronx

The Bronx, New York

The Bronx is right above Manhattan. One of the most vibrant areas of the city, this is the birthplace of hip hop, with artists such as Grandmaster Flash and DJ Kool starting their careers here.

But while the Bronx is famous for its music scene, it also happens to be the greenest borough of New York. Central Park might grab the headlines, but Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in the city – it's three times the size of Central Park to be exact. If you're a nature lover, then a trip to the Bronx is a must as a hefty 25 percent of the land is park space.

Staten Island

Staten Island ferry, New York

Staten Island is the southernmost of New York's 5 boroughs, which you can reach from Lower Manhattan via the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry runs across New York Harbour and is completely free to everyone.

Of all the boroughs, it definitely has the most residential feel to it. Make sure to visit the zoo and botanical gardens, or simply catch the ferry to get great views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. It departs from Whitehall Terminal Manhattan and runs every 30 minutes.